Monthly Archives: August 2012

I have been wanting to make my own pizzas, because GF DF pizzas are about $14 for a 10″….not cheap!
So I bought Bobs Red Mill pizza crust mix…and it’s still in the bag. 😛
Today I saw Udi’s GF pizza crust pre made! (only $4.49 for 2, not too bad)
The crust is GF, DF, soy free, nut free, but not egg free.

I was going to use the pepperoni that has been in my fridge but then after seeing the expiration date was last year of October and a consensus over text that it’s probably not okay. So that’s when I made it a vegan pizza minus the whole crust having egg thing.
Here’s a step-by-step of how it looks as I was making it.

I started with a pesto for the sauce, added my Dayia mozzarella cheese, topped with mushrooms, orange bell pepper, shallots, zucchini, (all thinly sliced). Then topped with Trader Joes 21 Season Salute (see pic for what’s all in it, it’s my use on EVERYTHING seasoning!) Topped with more Dayia then baked on 375° F for 9-10 min.
Superb!!! It tastes sooooo good!!!!! 😀
Here’s the seasoning…

Sam! If you will let me be, I will try it. You will see.

Hey! I like green pizza, no ham!
I do! I like them, Sam I am!
And I would eat it in a boat.
And I would eat it with a goat…
And I will eat it in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
It is so good, so good, you see!
So I will eat it in a box.
And I will eat it with a fox.
And I will eat it in a house.
And I will eat it with a mouse.
And I will eat it here and there.
Say! I will eat it ANYWHERE!
I do so like green pizza, no ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam I am!

P.S. I totally grossed out my nephew with the whole veggies and pesto that he disowned me until I eat some meat. LOL!! 😛

This is a 10X zoom image of the female cochineal insect (Dactylpius Coccus), producer of what has been considered for centuries the best red dye in the world.

Originating in Aztec Mexcio, the female cochineal insects set up shop on cactii, where they breed and eat. The male lives for just one short week to reproduce and then die.

The Aztecs would collect the bugs, briefly boil them in water, dry the bodies in the sun and then pulverize them into a fine scarlet powder known as cochineal or carmine. The powder dye was used for royal garments and was later coveted by the Spanish conquistadors who brought it back to Europe.

The relevant pigment in the bugs is a bitter chemical called carminic acid. Food manufacturers began using it about 100 years ago to add luster to products such as pork sausages, dried shrimp, candies, jams, and maraschino cherries.

As food science progressed, cheaper artificial dyes Red #2 and Red #40 replaced the natural cochineal until its production became uneconomical.

However, fears over the carcinogenic effects of artificial food coloring helped cochineal stage a comeback, and it is now featured in various food products, including Yoplait strawberry yogurt.

Although carmine is considered safe by the FDA, about 1 in 10,000 people develop some sort of allergic reaction when consuming it. Thus, starting in January 2011, the FDA is requiring all foods and cosmetics using cochineal to explicitly state its presence in the ingredient list.

The new labeling will also be beneficial to vegetarians and Muslims who wish not to eat bugs. Interestingly, carmine is considered kosher by observant jews.

What to do at the supermarket:

Look for the following on the ingredient list – Carmine, Cochineal, E210.

This really ups the desire to eat more natural foods…not natural insects. 😛

It’s been long overdue but after a year of being gluten-free I think it’s time to write a post of the things that I have learned. So here it goes!

1) Life is not fair. (you will learn this too very rapidly).
2) Even though you remove half of your meal because it contained gluten, they still charge you the same price. (hence the life is not fair comment).
3) Everything is three times more expensive than if it was the “regular food”.
4) Eating out is no longer enjoyable.
5) Red Robin and Outback Steakhouse has gluten-free menus! You will get sick of these restaurants, but then you will go back to them over and over and over again if you want to eat out with friends.
6) Always ask if they fry anything, that you ordered fried, in the same fryer that contained breaded or gluten containing objects. And yes tortilla chips are fried. (I always seem to forget that since they are not greasy).
7) Don’t be afraid to ask them to change their gloves and remind them that you have celiac so that they don’t spit in your food, or give you a hard time. (when I went to Carl’s Jr. They had the hardest time fathoming why I didn’t want a lettuce wrapped no cheese burger. Really, I don’t enjoy that much iceberg lettuce).
8) Review all your face and hair products because they most likely will contain gluten. Garnier hair products are awesome because they do not contain gluten.
9) Don’t be afraid to ask the manufacture for a list of ingredients or if they contain gluten. Usually they will give you a list of chemicals that you have no idea what they are, so asking if it contains gluten is your best bet.
10) MSG, natural flavors, additional spices, natural smoke, soy sauce, Anti-caking agents, white vinegar, envelope glue, styrofoam, oats (unless specified GF), Seitan, spice packets, vanilla extract, and pet food are some hidden sources of gluten.
11) Read the labels, read the labels, read the labels!
12) Get the apps! (These are iOS apps)
-Find me gluten free
-GF fast food
-GF living
-All recipes (they have a good selection of GF recipes, and some that are made from scratch is naturally GF)
13) Cook it yourself, that way you don’t have to question.
14) Don’t be afraid to ask your friend who made you a GF meal “what all is in it?” in the nicest way. They will understand after a while.
15) visit these blogs, they have great recipes and flour mixes!
– http://www.Betterbatter.org
– http://www.glutenfreeonashoestring.com
– http://www.glutenfreegirl.com
– http://www.easyglutenfreeliving.com
– http://www.noglutennoproblem.blogspot.com
(there’s more, but that’s off the top of my head).
16) Don’t eat at Subway if you have Celiac! Just because they have GF bread and they are ever so careful, sometimes, the veggies are what will get you. They dip their glutened hands in the same veggie baskets all day long. You WILL get sick!
17) Annie’s GF is not safe for Celiacs. I usually get sick when I have it. (they make their products in a facility that processes wheat).
18) Always check for the label “made in a facility that processes wheat”. Then avoid when you see that. (even chocolate bars are not safe).
19) Skittles are Gluten Free! 😀
20) Always read the reviews on recipes! Cardboard is not tasty, so give some extra time so you don’t waste time.
21) Bobs Red Mill has certified GF flours and stuff. (although, Bisquick GF is a way better pancake batter!)
22) Don’t use your stoneware or other porous bakeware and utensils from your gluten days.
23) Use the dishwasher if you live with someone who eats gluten. That way you know every particle is bleached and clean.
24) Don’t double dip! If you live with someone who eats gluten, get your own butter, PB, jellies and jams and clearly label GLUTEN FREE!
25) Don’t share a toaster with gluten eating people!

So that’s all for right now, I gotta run. I hope this helps!! 🙂

(P.s. Krispy Kreme is not one bit gluten free, but I thought it worthy to post this picture because I was able to go in there with a child and not be tempted whatsoever to eat one, even though he was eating my favorite, the maple bar!)

This sauce recipe looks really good! If I would make the meatballs I would use quinoa. (my friend gave me that idea!)

I think I’ll make that this weekend! Using quinoa/corn spaghetti noodles. 🙂

It smells so good even before it’s cooked!! 😀

So I was thinking of using my Spaghetti Squash instead because it would be yummy… But then mine sprouted before its been cracked open! O.o
I think I’ll be using those quinoa noodles now. I wonder if these would be any good to plant! 🙂